Leg pad for a hockey goal tender

ABSTRACT

A leg pad for a hockey goaltender comprising a pad body with an inner side and a cuff member extending rearwardly from the inner side. In use, the cuff member and a portion of the inner side define a longitudinal channel in which the calf of the goaltender is at least partially received, wherein upper and lower projections of the cuff member at least partially surround respective upper and lower parts of the calf and wherein the cuff member tightly maintains the leg within the channel while allowing movement of the leg between a standing position and a knelt position.

PRIOR APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from Canadian patent application CA 3 065 971, filed on Dec. 20, 2019, and entitled “LEG PAD FOR A HOCKEY GOALTENDER”, the disclosure of which being hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a protective hockey equipment, and more particularly to a leg pad for a hockey goaltender.

BACKGROUND

Leg pads or goalie pads are worn by hockey goalkeepers or hockey goaltenders to protect their legs against impacts from pucks, balls, hockey sticks or other objects and/or to protect their legs when kneeling (e.g., dropping) onto a playing surface such as an ice playing surface. Improvements in such goalie leg pads are continuously sought, particularly in order to improve their comfort and the mobility of the goaltender. In particular, existing leg pads might not be fully satisfactory since they may not allow firm or tight engagement with the goaltender's leg while allowing easy, full and/or quick movement of the leg between a standing position and a knelt position (also known as a butterfly position).

In view of the above, there is a need for an improved leg pad for a hockey goaltender which would alleviate at least in part the deficiencies of existing leg pads for hockey goaltenders and seek to solve problems and drawbacks of the prior art. More particularly, there is a need for a leg pad that allows, in use, tight engagement of the leg pad against the goaltender's leg while allowing quick movement of the goaltender's leg between a standing position to a knelt position.

SUMMARY

As embodied and broadly described herein, according to a broad aspect, there is provided a leg pad for a hockey goaltender having a leg with a knee, a shin, a calf and a foot with an ankle and a forefoot, the leg pad being wearable on the leg to protect the leg. The leg pad comprises a pad body adapted to be positioned adjacent to a front part of the leg, the pad body comprising an outer side of the leg pad, a medial portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a medial part of the leg, a lateral portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a lateral part of the leg, a bottom portion to be positioned adjacent the forefoot and an inner side adapted to at least partially face the shin; and a cuff member extending rearwardly from the inner side, the cuff member comprising an upper projection extending from the medial portion of the pad body toward the lateral portion of the pad body and being adapted to be positioned on an upper part of the calf slightly below the knee and a lower projection extending from the medial portion of the pad body toward the lateral portion of the pad body and being adapted to be positioned on a lower part of the calf slightly above the ankle. In use, the upper and lower projections and a portion of the inner side define a longitudinal channel in which the calf is at least partially received, wherein the upper and lower projections at least partially surround the respective upper and lower parts of the calf and wherein the cuff member tightly maintains the leg within the channel while allowing movement of the leg between a standing position and a knelt position.

As embodied and broadly described herein, according to another broad aspect, there is provided a leg pad for a hockey goaltender having a leg with a knee, a shin, a calf and a foot with an ankle and a forefoot, the leg pad being wearable on the leg to protect the leg. The leg pad comprises a pad body adapted to be positioned adjacent to a front part of the leg, the pad body comprising an outer side of the leg pad, a medial portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a medial part of the leg, a lateral portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a lateral part of the leg, a bottom portion to be positioned adjacent the forefoot and an inner side adapted to at least partially face the shin; a cuff member comprising: a medial cuff member extending rearwardly from a medial portion of the inner side and a lateral cuff member extending rearwardly from a lateral portion of the inner side, the medial cuff member comprising an upper projection extending toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to be positioned on an upper part of the calf slightly below the knee and a lower projection extending toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to be positioned on a lower part of the calf slightly above the ankle; an upper attachment member extending from the upper projection toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to connect the upper projection to the lateral cuff member; and a lower attachment member extending from the lower projection toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to connect the lower projection to the lateral cuff member. In use, the medial and lateral cuff members and a bottom portion of the inner side define a longitudinal channel in which the calf is at least partially received, wherein the upper and lower projections at least partially surround the respective upper and lower parts of the calf and wherein the medial and lateral cuff members tightly maintain the leg within the channel while allowing movement of the leg between a standing position and a knelt position.

As embodied and broadly described herein, according to another broad aspect, there is provided a leg pad for a hockey goaltender having a leg with a knee, a shin, a calf and a foot with an ankle and a forefoot, the leg pad being wearable on the leg to protect the leg. The leg pad comprises a pad body adapted to be positioned adjacent to a front part of the leg, the pad body comprising an outer side of the leg pad, a medial portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a medial part of the leg, a lateral portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a lateral part of the leg, a bottom portion to be positioned adjacent the forefoot and an inner side adapted to at least partially face the shin; a cuff member comprising: a medial cuff member extending rearwardly from a medial portion of the inner side and a lateral cuff member extending rearwardly from a lateral portion of the inner side, the medial cuff member comprising an upper projection extending toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to be positioned on an upper part of the calf slightly below the knee and a lower projection extending toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to be positioned on a lower part of the calf slightly above the ankle. In use, the medial and lateral cuff members, the upper and lower projections and a bottom portion of the inner side define a longitudinal channel in which the calf is at least partially received, wherein the upper and lower projections at least partially surround the respective upper and lower parts of the calf and wherein the medial and lateral cuff members tightly maintain the leg within the channel while allowing movement of the leg between a standing position and a knelt position, and wherein the bottom portion comprises a flat surface extending from the medial portion to the lateral portion.

These and other aspects of the invention will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention is provided herein below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a hockey goaltender wearing left and right leg pads in accordance with an embodiment, the hockey goaltender being in a knelt or butterfly position;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a left leg pad in accordance with an embodiment, the leg pad comprising medial and lateral protective panels in an assembled configuration and a cuff member in a closed configuration;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the leg pad of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary rear perspective view showing the medial and lateral protective panels and the cuff member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary rear perspective view showing the cuff member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary rear perspective view showing an inner face of a medial cuff member of the cuff member of FIG. 2, the cuff member being in an open configuration;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary rear view showing an outer face of the medial cuff member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary rear perspective view showing an outer face of a lateral cuff member of the cuff member of FIG. 2, the cuff member being in the open configuration;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary rear view showing the outer face of the lateral cuff member of FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 10 and 11 show front and side views of a goaltender's left leg.

In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of examples. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Before any variants, examples or preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other variants or embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional suitable items. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element. It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not be construed that there is only one of that element. It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, “can” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included.

Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings and are thus intended to include direct connections between two members without any other members interposed therebetween and indirect connections between members in which one or more other members are interposed therebetween. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. Additionally, the words “lower”, “upper”, “upward”, “down” and “downward” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Similarly, the words “left”, “right”, “front” and “rear” designate locations or positions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words or similar import.

To provide a more concise description, some of the quantitative expressions given herein may be qualified with the term “about”. It is understood that whether the term “about” is used explicitly or not, every quantity given herein is meant to refer to an actual given value, and it is also meant to refer to the approximation to such given value that would reasonably be inferred based on the ordinary skill in the art, including approximations due to the experimental and/or measurement conditions for such given value.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a leg pad 100 for a hockey goaltender having a leg 10, the leg pad 100 being wearable on the leg 10 of the hockey goaltender to protect the leg 10.

The leg pads 100 are worn on the hockey goaltender's legs 10 while playing hockey to protect the legs 10 against an impact from a puck, ball, hockey stick or other object and/or to protect the legs 10 when the goaltender kneels toward and against a playing surface. A type of hockey played may be ice hockey such that the leg pads 100 are ice hockey goaltender leg pads, the hockey goaltender is an ice hockey goaltender, and the playing surface 10 is an ice playing surface. The leg pad 100 is also known as a “goalie pad”, a “goalkeeper's pad” or a “goaltender's pad” such as those worn by an ice hockey goaltender.

The hockey goaltender leg pad 100 (also hereinafter referred to as “leg pad 100”) can have different sizes and shapes and is adapted to at least partially cover the leg 10.

The leg pads 100 protect various regions of the legs 10. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, which each shows a left leg of the goaltender, the leg 10 comprises an upper leg 12 (or thigh 12), a knee 14, a lower leg 16, and a foot 13 with an ankle 15 and a forefoot 18. The upper leg 12 is above the knee 14, while the lower leg 16 is below the knee 14 and above the foot 13. The lower leg 16 comprises a shin 17 and a calf 19. The leg 10 has a front 20, a back 22, a medial side 24 (sometimes referred to as an “inner side”), and a lateral side 26 (sometimes referred to as an “outer side”).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the leg pad 100 is adapted to be worn on the left leg 10. A corresponding leg pad can be worn on the right goaltender's leg. Although the leg pad 100 is shown and described herein as a hockey goaltender's pad, it is understood that other embodiments of the leg pad 100 may be used for ice hockey, field hockey and other sports.

The leg pad 100 extends along a substantially longitudinal axis L (or longitudinal direction L) between two opposite ends 102, 104 (or upper and lower ends 102, 104). When the leg pad 100 is worn by the goaltender in a standing position, it is understood that the leg pad 100 extends along the longitudinal axis L (i.e. vertical longitudinal axis) between the thigh 12 (upper leg 12) and the foot 13 of the goaltender such that the leg pad 100 at least partially covers the leg 10.

The leg pad 100 comprises a pad body 200 adapted to be positioned adjacent to the front part 20 of the leg, the pad body comprising an outer side 202 of the leg pad 100, a medial portion 210 adapted to be positioned adjacent to the medial part 24 of the leg 10, a lateral portion 220 adapted to be positioned adjacent to the lateral part 26 of the leg 10, a bottom portion 201 to be positioned adjacent the forefoot 18 and an inner side 230 adapted to at least partially face the shin 17. In the following description, it is understood that the upper end 102, the lower end 104, the medial portion 210, the lateral portion 220, the bottom portion 201, the inner side 230, and the outer side 202 are part of the pad body 200 and/or of the leg pad 100. It is understood that the inner side 230 may be entirely or partially covered by an inner liner that is suitable for contacting the leg and that the outer side may be entirely or partially covered by a material that is suitable for contacting the ice surface.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the leg pad 100 also comprises a cuff member 300 extending rearwardly from the inner side 230, the cuff member 300 comprising an upper projection extending from the medial portion of the pad body 200 toward the lateral portion 220 of the pad body 200 and being adapted to be positioned on an upper part of the calf 19 slightly below the knee 14, and a lower projection extending from the medial portion 210 of the pad body 200 toward the lateral portion 220 of the pad body 200 and being adapted to be positioned on a lower part of the calf 19 slightly above the ankle 15.

It is understood that the cuff member 300 may comprise a first (medial) cuff member 310 extending rearwardly from a medial portion 232 of the inner side 230 and the cuff member 300 may comprise a second (lateral) cuff member 320 extending rearwardly from a lateral portion 234 of the inner side 230.

As best shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the medial cuff member 310 comprises an upper projection 312 extending toward the lateral cuff member 320 and being adapted to be positioned on an upper part of the calf 19 slightly below the knee 14, and a lower projection 314 extending toward the lateral cuff member 320 and being adapted to be positioned on a lower part of the calf 19 slightly above the ankle 15.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 9, the cuff member 300 also comprises an upper attachment member 330 extending from the upper projection 312 toward the lateral cuff member 320 and being adapted to connect the upper projection 312 to the lateral cuff member 320; and a lower attachment member 340 extending from the lower projection 314 toward the lateral cuff member 320 and being adapted to connect the lower projection 314 to the lateral cuff member 320.

In use, i.e. when the leg pad 100 is worn by the goaltender, when the leg pad 100 is at least partially attached to, or connected to, or engaged with the leg 10, and when the medial and lateral cuff members 310, 320 are in a closed configuration, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the medial and lateral cuff members 310, 320 and a portion of the inner side 230 define together a longitudinal channel 400, a longitudinal leg-receiving channel 400 or a longitudinal calf-surrounding channel 400 extending substantially along the longitudinal axis L of the leg pad 100 and being adapted to at least partially receive the calf 19, wherein the upper and lower projections 312, 314 at least partially surround the respective upper and lower parts of the calf 19 and wherein the medial and lateral cuff members 310, 320 tightly maintain the leg 10 within the channel 400 while allowing movement of the leg 10 between a standing position and a knelt position.

It is understood that the knelt position or the butterfly position is a position of the goaltender wherein the outer side 202 of the pad body 200 (or pad outer shell 200) at least partially contacts a ground or ice surface and wherein the leg pad 100 extends along a substantially horizontal direction (see for instance FIG. 1).

It is thus understood that the leg pad 100 is particularly adapted to allow the goaltender to use the butterfly technique, which usually refers to a technique of goaltending distinguished by the goaltender guarding the lower part of the net by dropping to the knees to block shoots toward the net. In other words, the leg pad is configured to easily allow the goaltender to go from the standing position in which the leg pad 100 extends along a substantially vertical direction to the knelt position in which the leg pad 100 extends along a substantially horizontal direction wherein the leg pad 100 at least partially contacts the ice surface.

The cuff member 300 is adapted to be in an open configuration, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, wherein the medial cuff member 310 and the lateral cuff member 320 are spaced apart from each other for the leg pad 100 to be engaged with the leg 10 of the goaltender.

It is understood that the medial and lateral cuff members 310, 320 of the cuff member 300 are shaped and dimensioned, when the cuff member 300 is in the closed configuration, to tightly maintain the leg 100 within the channel 400 (or leg-receiving channel 400), while allowing pivotable movement of the leg 10 within the channel 400. In other words, the cuff member 300 is shaped and dimensioned to tightly fit to the leg 100 of the goaltender while allowing certain amount of freedom and/or rotation of the leg 100—in particular movement and/or rotation of the ankle of the leg—within the leg-receiving channel 400 at least partially delimited by the cuff member 300 and the pad body 200. In other words, the leg pad 100 is shaped and dimensioned to snugly fit to the leg 10 of the goaltender (and more particularly to the lower leg 16 thereof) while allowing freedom of (pivotable) movement of the leg 10 between the standing position and the knelt position.

As best shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the medial cuff member 310 has an inner face 350, considered with respect to the leg-receiving channel 400 at least partially defined thereby when the cuff member 300 is configured into the closed configuration. The medial cuff member 310 also has an opposed outer face 352.

The medial cuff member 310 comprises a medial side portion 354 extending rearwardly from the medial portion 232 of the inner side 230. The upper and lower projections 312, 314 extend from the medial side portion 354. In other words, in the embodiment shown, the medial cuff member 310 has a substantially C-shape but other shapes could also be conceived.

The medial side portion 354 comprises a bottom edge 355 and an upper edge 357 forming respectively medial bottom and upper edges of the leg-receiving channel 400. The medial side portion 354 extends along the leg-receiving channel 400 between the bottom and upper edges 355, 357 along a medial longitudinal distance L1. The medial side portion 354 and the upper and lower projections 312, 314 are shaped and dimensioned to at least partially cover the calf 19.

The lower projection 314 comprises the bottom edge 355 and the upper projection 312 comprises the upper edge 357 (i.e. bottom edges of the lower projection and of the medial side portion substantially form together a continuity and so do upper edges of the upper projection and of the medial side portion) but it could also be conceived a medial cuff member comprising an upper projection and/or a lower projection that would comprise respectively a upper edge and a bottom edge that would form a discontinuity with the upper edge and the bottom edge of the medial side portion.

Referring to FIG. 7, the medial longitudinal distance L1 of the cuff member 300 is comprised between about 10 cm and about 40 cm. In another embodiment, the medial longitudinal distance L1 is comprised between about 15 cm and about 35 cm. In another embodiment, the medial longitudinal distance L1 is comprised between about 22 cm and about 27 cm.

The medial side portion 354 and the upper and lower projections 312, 314 extend along a medial transversal distance T1 such that the medial side portion 354 and the upper and lower projections 312, 314 at least partially cover the calf.

The medial transversal distance T1 is defined between a free end of at least one of the upper and lower projections 312, 314 and a securing end 359 of the medial side portion 354 (i.e. a junction between the medial side portion 354 and the inner side 230, i.e. the end of the medial side portion 354 secured—for instance sewn—to the inner side 230). In the embodiment shown, the upper and lower projections 312, 314 have substantially identical dimensions considered in a direction substantially transversal to the longitudinal axis L of the leg pad 100, but it could also be conceived a medial cuff member with upper and lower projections having different dimensions and/or shapes.

The medial transversal distance T1 is comprised between about 5 cm and about 25 cm. In another embodiment, the medial transversal distance T1 is comprised between about 10 cm and about 22 cm. In another embodiment, the medial transversal distance T1 is comprised between about 15 cm and about 20 cm. In another embodiment, the medial transversal distance T1 is comprised between about 17 cm and about 20 cm.

The medial side portion 354 comprises a longitudinal pad 361 extending from the bottom edge 355 to the upper edge 357.

The longitudinal pad 361 comprises a plurality of protection blocks 363 (three, in the embodiment shown, for instance at least partially made in a material having rigidity properties and/or in a yieldable and force-absorbing material), extending from the bottom edge 355 to the upper edge 357 and slightly pivotable with respect to each other. In other words, in the embodiment shown, the longitudinal pad 361 comprises longitudinal flexing zone 365 (two, in the embodiment shown) extending from the bottom edge 355 to the upper edge 357, for instance between adjacent protection blocks 363. The longitudinal pad 361 is thus shaped and dimensioned to better fit the calf 19 of the goaltender when the cuff member 300 is in the closed configuration (i.e. for the leg-receiving channel 400 to have a substantially tubular shape).

The medial side portion 354 comprises upper and lower strips 370, 372 of VELCRO™ female loops extending transversely, for instance along substantially an entirety of a width of the medial side portion 354.

The upper attachment member 330 comprises an upper inner strap 332 (considered with respect to the leg-receiving channel 400 when the cuff member 300 is in the closed configuration). The upper inner strap 332 extends from the upper projection 312 and comprises an upper strip of VELCRO™ male loops 334. Similarly, the lower attachment member 340 comprises a lower inner strap 342 extending from the lower projection 314. The lower inner strap 342 comprises a lower strip of VELCRO™ male loops 344. It is understood that the VELCRO™ female loops and male loops could be arranged in a reversed order (i.e. male loops on the medial side portion and female loops on the upper and lower attachment members).

As best shown in FIGS. 4, 8 and 9, the lateral cuff member 320 comprises upper and lower rings 322, 324, for instance secured (for instance sewn) to an outer face 380 of the lateral cuff member 320, or at a junction between the lateral cuff member 320 and the inner side 230. The upper and lower rings 322, 324 are shaped and dimensioned so that the upper and lower inner straps 332, 342 of the upper and lower attachment members 330, 340 pass in the respective upper and lower rings 322, 324 and for the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ male loops 344, 344 to engage the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ female loops 370, 372 for affixing the cuff member 300 to the leg 10, when the cuff member 300 is configured into the closed configuration (see FIG. 5).

The upper and lower attachment members 330, 340 may be at least partially made of an elastic and/or resilient material for the upper and lower attachment members 330, 340 to be stretchable in a direction parallel to their longitudinal axis (i.e. in a direction substantially transversal to the longitudinal direction L of the leg pad 100) so as to increase a length of the upper and lower attachment members 330, 340 and to strongly affix the cuff member 300 to the leg 10.

It is understood that the shape, the configuration, and the location of the medial cuff member can vary from the embodiment shown, as well as the shape and the configuration of the upper and lower projections, the upper and lower attachment members and the medial side portion. For instance, any other fastening means could be conceived to affix the cuff member to the leg, when the cuff member is configured into the closed configuration.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 8 and 9, the lateral cuff member 320 comprises an inner face 382, the opposed outer face 380, and bottom and upper edges 384, 386 forming respectively lateral bottom and upper edges of the leg-receiving channel 400. The lateral cuff member 320 is shaped and dimensioned to at least partially cover the calf 19.

As best shown in FIG. 9, the lateral cuff member 320 extends along the leg-receiving channel 400 between the bottom and upper edges 384, 386 along a lateral longitudinal distance L2. The lateral longitudinal distance L2 of the cuff member 300 is comprised between about 10 cm and about 30 cm. In some other embodiments, the lateral longitudinal distance L2 is comprised between about 15 cm and about 25 cm. in some other embodiments, the lateral longitudinal distance L2 is comprised between about 20 cm and about 24 cm.

The lateral cuff member 320 extends along a lateral transversal distance T2 such that the lateral cuff member 320 at least partially covers the calf 19. In the embodiment shown, the lateral transversal distance T2 is defined between a free end of the lateral cuff member 320 and a securing end 321 of the lateral cuff member 320 (i.e. the junction between the lateral cuff member 320 and the inner side 230, i.e. the end of the lateral cuff member 320 secured, for instance by being sewn, to the inner side 230).

The lateral transversal distance T2 is comprised between about 3 cm and about 15 cm. In some other embodiment, the lateral transversal distance T2 is comprised between about 5 cm and about 10 cm. In some other embodiment, the lateral transversal distance T2 is comprised between about 6 cm and about 8 cm.

For instance, the lateral transversal distance T2 is smaller than the medial transversal distance T1. In some embodiments, the lateral transversal distance T2 is smaller than about 90% of the medial transversal distance T1. In some other embodiments, the lateral transversal distance T2 is smaller than about 70% of the medial transversal distance T1. In some other embodiments, the lateral transversal distance T2 is smaller than about 50% of the medial transversal distance T1. In yet some other embodiments, the lateral transversal distance T2 is smaller than about 40% of the medial transversal distance T1.

For instance, the lateral longitudinal distance L2 is smaller than the medial longitudinal distance L1. In some embodiments, the lateral longitudinal distance L2 is smaller than about 95% of the medial longitudinal distance L1. In some embodiments, the lateral longitudinal distance L2 is smaller than about 90% of the medial longitudinal distance L1. In yet some embodiments, the lateral longitudinal distance L2 is smaller than about 85% of the medial longitudinal distance L1.

In best shown in FIG. 5, the upper and lower rings 322, 324 are secured to the junction between the lateral cuff member 320 and the inner side 230 via upper and lower ring-securing portions 323, 325 extending along at least a portion of a width of the lateral cuff member 320 and facing the outer surface 380 of the lateral cuff member 320.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the lateral cuff member 320 comprises a longitudinal flexing zone 327 extending from the bottom edge 384 to the upper edge 386. The lateral cuff member 320 is thus shaped and dimensioned to better fit the calf 19 of the goaltender when the cuff member 300 is in the closed configuration (i.e. for the leg-receiving channel 400 to have a substantially tubular shape).

It is appreciated that the shape, the configuration, and the location of the lateral cuff member can vary from the embodiment shown, as well as the shape, the configuration and the location of the upper and lower rings.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the bottom portion 321 of the inner side 320 at least partially delimiting the longitudinal channel 400 comprises a flat surface 331 extending from the medial portion 210 toward the lateral portion 220. In the embodiment shown, the flat surface 331 extends proximate the medial cuff member 310, and more particularly proximate the medial side portion 354 thereof. The flat surface 331 is shaped and dimensioned not to prevent the rotation of the calf within the longitudinal channel 400 when the goaltender the goaltender goes from the standing position to the knelt position. In other words, there is no protuberance or projection on the medial portion of the bottom portion 201 for allowing and/or facilitating movement and/or rotation of the leg (for instance the movement and/or the rotation of the foot 13, for instance of the ankle 15 thereof) when the goalie moves to butterfly position. In other words, there is not protuberance or projection on the bottom portion 201 that would abut the medial side of the leg (for instance the foot, for instance the ankle thereof) when the goalie moves to butterfly position. In the embodiment shown, the flat surface 331 extends up to a protuberance 333 (or projection 333, or convexity 333) (i.e. a curved surface 333 toward the longitudinal channel 400) adapted to contact the lateral side of the foot and/or of a skate worn by the goaltender. In the embodiment shown, the protuberance 333 is proximate the lateral cuff member 320.

It is understood that the pad body 200 (or pad outer shell 200, or protection body 200) is adapted to protect the anterior (front) side 20 of the leg 10.

For instance, the pad body 200 has a substantially rectangular shape extending between the two ends 102, 104 along the longitudinal direction L. When the pad body 200 is mounted onto the leg 10, in particular via the cuff member 300, the pad body 200 generally extends between the foot 13 and a portion of the thigh 12 (or upper leg 12) of the player. In an alternate embodiment, the pad body 200 might have another length. The outer side 202 of the pad body 200 is configured to shield the leg 10 from the hazards and the inner surface 230 (or inner side 230) is shaped to receive at least a portion of the leg 10. Protective padding fills the space between the inner side 230 and the outer side 202. The lateral portion 220 of the pad body 200 corresponds substantially to the lateral side 26 of the leg 10, while the medial portion 210 thereof corresponds substantially to the medial side 24 of the leg 10.

It is understood that the shape, the configuration and the dimensions of the pad body 200 can vary from the embodiment shown.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the leg pad 100 comprises a medial protective panel 500 extending rearwardly from the inner side 230 of the pad body 200. The medial protective panel 500 extends along a medial side of the calf 19 and is adapted to at least partially cover the medial side of the calf 19. The medial protective panel 500 comprises inner and outer lateral panel members 501, 503 extending along the medial side of the calf 19 and rearwardly from the inner side 230.

The leg pad 100 further comprises a lateral protective panel 510 extending rearwardly from the inner side 230, the lateral protective panel 510 extending along a lateral side of the calf 19 and is adapted to at least partially cover the lateral side of the calf 19. In other words, the medial and lateral protective panels 500, 510 are shaped and dimensioned to protect at least partially the lateral and medial sides 24, 26 of the leg 10 as well as a portion of the back 22 of the leg 10.

The medial and lateral protective panels 500, 510 are configurable into an assembled configuration, in which they are at least partially assembled to each other, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 3 and define together an outer channel 520 containing at least partially the leg-receiving channel 400 defined at least partially by the cuff member 300. In other words, and as best shown in FIG. 3, considered in a direction substantially transversal to the longitudinal axis L of the leg pad 100, the medial and lateral cuff members 310, 320 extend between the medial and lateral protective panels 500, 510 (i.e. extends at least partially within the outer channel 520).

The leg pad 100 comprises an outer strap 521, for instance extending between the inner and outer lateral panel members 501, 503, for affixing the medial and lateral protective panels 500, 510 to the leg 10 (at least the inner lateral panel member 501 and the lateral protective panel 510, in the embodiment shown), when the medial and lateral protective panels 500, 510 are configured into the assembled configuration.

For instance, the outer strap 521 comprises a strip 522 of VELCRO™ female loops and a strip 524 of VELCRO™ male loops, the outer strap 521 being engageable into a fastening ring 526 extending rearwardly from the lateral portion of the inner side 230 and the strips 522, 524 being engageable with each other for affixing the medial and lateral protective panels 500, 510 in the assembled configuration.

The medial and lateral protective panels 500, 510 are also configurable into a spaced-apart configuration, as represented in FIG. 5, wherein the medial and lateral protective panels 500, 510 are spaced-apart from each other in order to allow access to the cuff member 300, to engage the leg 10 of the goaltender into the leg-receiving channel 400 and/or to remove the leg 10 therefrom.

Referring to FIG. 2, the leg pad 100 further comprises a knee-protecting panel 530 extending rearwardly from the inner side 230 to extend along a medial side of the knee 14. In the embodiment shown, the knee-protecting panel 530 extends above the medial protective panel 500. The leg pad 100 might further comprise a knee-securing strap 540 to increase the safety of the affixing of the leg pad 100 to the leg 10.

The medial protective panel 500, the lateral protective panel 510 and the knee-protecting panel 530 can be made from any suitable material to shield the portions of the leg 10 from the hazards and also allow flexibility to accommodate movements of the goaltender. For example, the medial protective panel 500, the lateral protective panel 510 and the knee-protecting panel 530 can be formed of a yieldable and force-absorbing material to allow the player to move while also shielding the leg 10.

It is appreciated that the shape, the configuration, the number and the location of the medial protective panel, the lateral protective panel and the knee-protecting panel, in particular with respect to the pad body, can vary from the embodiment shown. Moreover, the shape, the configuration and the location of the outer strap and the knee-securing strap can also vary from the embodiment shown.

In use, the cuff member 300 is in the open configuration and the leg 10 is positioned between the medial and lateral cuff members 310, 320, the leg facing the inner side 230. The method further comprises configuring the cuff member 300 into the closed configuration, for the leg to be arranged within the leg-receiving channel 400 at least partially delimited by the medial cuff member 310, the lateral cuff member 320 and the portion 231 of the inner side 230. The method further comprises releasably attaching the medial and lateral cuff members 310, 320 together with the upper and lower inner straps 332, 342 passing in the respective upper and lower rings 322, 324 and the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ male loops 334, 344 engaging the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ female loops 370, 372 for affixing the cuff member 300 to the leg 10. The upper and lower inner straps 332, 342 thus pass in the respective upper and lower rings 322, 324 and the upper and lower strips lower strips 334, 344 of VELCRO™ male loops are affixed to the upper and lower strips 370, 372 of VELCRO™ female loops for affixing the cuff member to the leg. It is understood that the goaltender can achieve certain amount of tightness and flexibility by adjusting the tension of the upper and lower inner straps 332, 342 and/or the arrangement of the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ male loops 334, 344 engaging the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ female loops 370, 372.

It could also be conceived a leg pad 100 wherein the upper and lower ring-securing portions 323, 325 would be releasably securable to the lateral cuff member 320, for instance to the outer surface 380 thereof. The upper and lower ring-securing portions 323, 325 could be securable thereto via one of VELCRO™ male and female loops on an inner surface thereof cooperating with the other one of VELCRO™ male and female loops on the outer surface 380 of the lateral cuff member 320. A user could thus easily detach the medial and lateral cuff members 310, 320 from each other without having to disengage the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ male loops 334, 344 from the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ female loops 370, 372 and without having to remove the upper and lower inner straps 332, 342 from the respective upper and lower rings 322, 324. Moreover, once the user has determined an adequate engagement of the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ male loops 334, 344 with the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ female loops 370, 372 to provide him an adequate tightening of the cuff member 300, the releasable securing of the upper and lower ring-securing portions 323, 325 to the lateral cuff member 320 makes it possible not to modify the adequate tightening for further usages of the leg pad 100.

The method further comprises configuring the medial and lateral protective panels 500, 510 into the assembled configuration and releasably attaching the medial and lateral protective panels together with the outer strap 521 being engaged into the fastening ring 526 and with the strips 522, 524 engaging with each other.

The above description of the variants, examples or embodiments should not be interpreted in a limiting manner since other variations, modifications and refinements are possible within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed variants or embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described variants or embodiments may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to a skilled person in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that a skilled person in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed variants or embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a”, “an”, or “the”, is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Any reference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z, including, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z. The scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A leg pad for a hockey goaltender having a leg with a knee, a shin, a calf and a foot with an ankle and a forefoot, the leg pad being wearable on the leg to protect the leg, the leg pad comprising: a pad body adapted to be positioned adjacent to a front part of the leg, the pad body comprising an outer side of the leg pad, a medial portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a medial part of the leg, a lateral portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a lateral part of the leg, a bottom portion to be positioned adjacent the forefoot and an inner side adapted to at least partially face the shin; and a cuff member extending rearwardly from the inner side, the cuff member comprising an upper projection extending from the medial portion of the pad body toward the lateral portion of the pad body and being adapted to be positioned on an upper part of the calf slightly below the knee and a lower projection extending from the medial portion of the pad body toward the lateral portion of the pad body and being adapted to be positioned on a lower part of the calf slightly above the ankle; wherein, in use, the upper and lower projections and a portion of the inner side define a longitudinal channel in which the calf is at least partially received, wherein the upper and lower projections at least partially surround the respective upper and lower parts of the calf and wherein the cuff member tightly maintains the leg within the channel while allowing movement of the leg between a standing position and a knelt position.
 2. The leg pad according to claim 1, wherein the cuff member comprises a medial cuff member extending rearwardly from a medial portion of the inner side and a lateral cuff member extending rearwardly from a lateral portion of the inner side, and wherein the medial cuff member comprises the upper and lower protections.
 3. The leg pad according to claim 2, comprising an upper attachment member extending from the upper projection toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to connect the upper projection to the lateral cuff member; and a lower attachment member extending from the lower projection toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to connect the lower projection to the lateral cuff member, wherein the medial cuff member comprises a medial side portion extending rearwardly from the medial portion of the inner side, wherein the upper and lower projections extend from the medial side portion, and wherein the medial side portion extends along the channel from a bottom edge to an upper edge along a longitudinal distance such that the medial side portion of the medial cuff member and the upper and lower projections at least partially cover the calf.
 4. The leg pad according to claim 3, wherein the longitudinal distance is a first longitudinal distance and wherein the lateral cuff member extends along the channel from a bottom edge to an upper edge along a second longitudinal distance such that the lateral cuff member at least partially covers the lateral side of the calf.
 5. The leg pad according to claim 4, wherein the medial side portion and the upper and lower projections extend along a first transversal distance such that the medial side portion of the medial cuff member and the upper and lower projections at least partially cover the calf, and wherein the lateral cuff member extends along a second transversal distance such that the lateral cuff member at least partially covers the lateral side of the calf.
 6. The leg pad according to claim 3, wherein the medial side portion comprises a longitudinal pad extending from the bottom edge to the upper edge and wherein the longitudinal pad comprises a longitudinal flexing zone extending from the bottom edge to the upper edge.
 7. The leg pad according to claim 2, wherein the bottom portion comprises a flat surface extending from the medial portion toward the lateral portion, and wherein the flat surface of the bottom portion extends up to a protuberance or projection adapted to contact a lateral side of the foot and/or of a skate worn by the goaltender.
 8. The leg pad according to claim 1, comprising a medial protective panel extending rearwardly from the inner side, the medial protective panel extending along a medial side of the calf and being adapted to at least partially cover the medial side of the calf and a lateral protective panel extending rearwardly from the inner side, the lateral protective panel extending along a lateral side of the calf and being adapted to at least partially cover the lateral side of the calf.
 9. A leg pad for a hockey goaltender having a leg with a knee, a shin, a calf and a foot with an ankle and a forefoot, the leg pad being wearable on the leg to protect the leg, the leg pad comprising: a pad body adapted to be positioned adjacent to a front part of the leg, the pad body comprising an outer side of the leg pad, a medial portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a medial part of the leg, a lateral portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a lateral part of the leg, a bottom portion to be positioned adjacent the forefoot and an inner side adapted to at least partially face the shin; a cuff member comprising: a medial cuff member extending rearwardly from a medial portion of the inner side and a lateral cuff member extending rearwardly from a lateral portion of the inner side, the medial cuff member comprising an upper projection extending toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to be positioned on an upper part of the calf slightly below the knee and a lower projection extending toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to be positioned on a lower part of the calf slightly above the ankle; an upper attachment member extending from the upper projection toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to connect the upper projection to the lateral cuff member; and a lower attachment member extending from the lower projection toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to connect the lower projection to the lateral cuff member; wherein, in use, the medial and lateral cuff members and a bottom portion of the inner side define a longitudinal channel in which the calf is at least partially received, wherein the upper and lower projections at least partially surround the respective upper and lower parts of the calf and wherein the medial and lateral cuff members tightly maintain the leg within the channel while allowing movement of the leg between a standing position and a knelt position.
 10. The leg pad according to claim 9, wherein the medial cuff member comprises a medial side portion extending rearwardly from the medial portion of the inner side, wherein the upper and lower projections extend from the medial side portion, wherein the medial side portion extends along the channel from a bottom edge to an upper edge along a longitudinal distance such that the medial side portion and the upper and lower projections at least partially cover the calf, and wherein the lower projection comprises the bottom edge and the upper projection comprises the upper edge.
 11. The leg pad according to claim 10, wherein the longitudinal distance is a first longitudinal distance and wherein the lateral cuff member extends along the channel from a bottom edge to an upper edge along a second longitudinal distance such that lateral cuff member at least partially covers the lateral side of the calf.
 12. The leg pad according to claim 10, wherein the medial side portion and the upper and lower projections extend along a transversal distance such that the medial side portion and the upper and lower projections at least partially cover the calf.
 13. The leg pad according to claim 12, wherein the transversal distance is a first transversal distance and wherein the lateral cuff member extends along a second transversal distance such that the lateral cuff member at least partially covers the lateral side of the calf.
 14. The leg pad according to claim 10, wherein the medial side portion comprises a longitudinal pad extending from the bottom edge to the upper edge and wherein the longitudinal pad comprises a longitudinal flexing zone extending from the bottom edge to the upper edge.
 15. The leg pad according to claim 9, comprising a medial protective panel extending rearwardly from the inner side, the medial protective panel extending along a medial side of the calf and being adapted to at least partially cover the medial side of the calf and a lateral protective panel extending rearwardly from the inner side, the lateral protective panel extending along a lateral side of the calf and being adapted to at least partially cover the lateral side of the calf.
 16. The leg pad according to claim 9, wherein the bottom portion comprises a flat surface extending from the medial portion toward the lateral portion and wherein the flat surface of the bottom portion extends up to a protuberance or projection adapted to contact a lateral side of the foot and/or of a skate worn by the goaltender.
 17. A leg pad for a hockey goaltender having a leg with a knee, a shin, a calf and a foot with an ankle and a forefoot, the leg pad being wearable on the leg to protect the leg, the leg pad comprising: a pad body adapted to be positioned adjacent to a front part of the leg, the pad body comprising an outer side of the leg pad, a medial portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a medial part of the leg, a lateral portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a lateral part of the leg, a bottom portion to be positioned adjacent the forefoot and an inner side adapted to at least partially face the shin; a cuff member comprising: a medial cuff member extending rearwardly from a medial portion of the inner side and a lateral cuff member extending rearwardly from a lateral portion of the inner side, the medial cuff member comprising an upper projection extending toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to be positioned on an upper part of the calf slightly below the knee and a lower projection extending toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to be positioned on a lower part of the calf slightly above the ankle; wherein, in use, the medial and lateral cuff members, the upper and lower projections and a bottom portion of the inner side define a longitudinal channel in which the calf is at least partially received, wherein the upper and lower projections at least partially surround the respective upper and lower parts of the calf and wherein the medial and lateral cuff members tightly maintain the leg within the channel while allowing movement of the leg between a standing position and a knelt position, and wherein the bottom portion comprises a flat surface extending from the medial portion to the lateral portion.
 18. The leg pad according to claim 17, wherein the flat surface extends up to a protuberance or projection adapted to contact a lateral side of the foot and/or of a skate worn by the goaltender.
 19. The leg pad according to claim 17, wherein the medial cuff member comprises a medial side portion extending rearwardly from the medial portion of the inner side, wherein the upper and lower projections extend from the medial side portion, and wherein the medial side portion extends along the channel from a bottom edge to an upper edge along a longitudinal distance such that the medial side portion of the medial cuff member and the upper and lower projections at least partially cover the calf and wherein the lower projection comprises the bottom edge and the upper projection comprises the upper edge.
 20. The leg pad according to claim 19, wherein the longitudinal distance is a first longitudinal distance and wherein the lateral cuff member extends along the channel from a bottom edge to an upper edge along a second longitudinal distance such that lateral cuff member at least partially covers the lateral side of the calf and wherein the medial side portion and the upper and lower projections extend along a transversal distance such that the medial side portion of the medial cuff member and the upper and lower projections at least partially cover the calf. 